Five Bold Predictions for 2015–16 Brooklyn Nets

What readers said at the time

6 replies came in under this piece in 2015, and they are kept here as they were written — the readers’ words, not ours, spelling and all. The thread is closed; the desk does not take new comments.

1. Jack Jameson18 August 2015

   I totally agree that RHJ could make the All-Rookie first team, and I do see Bogdanovic averaging 15 ppg. Should be a very exciting season, hoping we reach 45 wins!

2. Lloyd Williams18 August 2015

   Hollis-Jefferson really could make a splash with all of the playing time he’s bound to get. Bojan got his feet wet last year and experienced NBA talent (as well as defense) for the first time. He should improve significantly. And yes, hopefully the Nets can put together a successful season!

3. Terry Bogard18 August 2015

   Other then predictions 5,4, and 2, the rest i really don’t see happening. Lionel Hollins may be a great defensive coach but i just don’t see this team finishing in the top 12 in defensive efficiency.And ask for the nets winning 45 games, that is a very bold prediction because i don’t see that happening either. Looking at there schedule from october to the end of november in which there first 11 games is murders row, they will be lucky to finish with 6 wins.

4. Lloyd Williams18 August 2015

   Although I agree that the schedule is difficult in that time frame, what’s different between last year and this year is that the Nets finally have a system. They lacked continuity and a consistent game plan. I believe that this is because they were torn between two things: playing through their max players, or playing a team game. Several times it seemed as if they were force feeding Lopez in the post, or forcing DWill to make something out of nothing, in a 1-4 isolation at the top of the key. Now that they’ve come to terms with a certain type of play, I believe they have the talent and coaching to become a scrappy squad that gives opposing teams hell on the defensive end of the floor. In turn this would create easy transition baskets. I stand by my prediction of them being top 12 in defensive efficiency. After all, I’m sure people said the same thing about the Hollins-coached-Grizzlies after their horrendous first defensive season together.

5. Gerald Williams18 August 2015

   In some of your predictions, you don’t take into account that things never go smoothly.
   Nearly every year some thing doesn’t go as expected and team doesn’t do as well.
   However, this year fans have the lowest expectations (for wins) that I’ve seen in recent memory. Its mostly based on an assumption that the PG position will suck. I disagree with that premise (Jack is one of my favorite players and I predict will only hurt team on defense).

   45 wins would be like the upper limit of great health and a few more upside surprises than most people will predict. 40 wins is a more realistic prediction if team is healthy. For example, ATL overperformed this past year, because they were healthy most of the season, and had played a lot together. Hollins knows 9/14 Nets, already, and that will be a big plus, so he won’t have to do major experimentation.

   I can’t see any scenario where the Nets defense is better than the EC average. I also don’t see RHJ getting enough PT (unless JJ or Bojan are injured) to earn a top rookie spot, even if he impresses.

   I can see Bogs averaging 13-15 ppg, Brook at 20 ppg, JJ at 17 ppg and Jack and Thad at 13 ppg. That would account for 77 pts if all 5 are playing. Any pluses from the bench would make the Nets a nice offensive team.

   Regarding Brook, I can’t see him averaging more than about 9-9.5 rebounds per game, unless his backups are so bad that he plays too many minutes.

   And as I’ve said in every discussion about how the Nets will do, its always about Health, Health and Health. Too bad the pundits won’t admit that Health is the biggest factor (after the fact) in determining where a team finishes.

6. Lloyd Williams18 August 2015

   I understand that the Nets’ time in Brooklyn hasn’t been overly impressive, and there have often been problems regarding injuries. Removing the oft-injured Deron Williams will certainly help that situation. It’s quite possible that you enjoy Jack’s play more than I do. I’m on the record saying that the point guard position will need to be a combined effort between at least three players due to the lack of talent at that position. There’s a reason that Jack has been a backup for the majority of his NBA career.
   I rarely indulge in speculation, or taking assumptions as given, but your Atlanta Hawks example is doing just that. So allow me to do the same. The Hawks rarely display stellar seasons. As a matter of fact, this past year was their first 60-win year in franchise history. They can just as easily be used as an example of how a team can make a significant turnaround, as an example of why a team can’t make a significant improvement. Who’s to say the Nets won’t be the team to enjoy supreme health this year?
   Johnson hasn’t averaged above 17 points (or more) since his last year in Atlanta. His point averages have steadily declined since his time in Brooklyn. Him averaging 17 would be a tall task.
   I do agree though that health plays a major role in where a team places at the end of a season. It’s a grind, but if the Nets enjoy health for the most part, I think we can agree that they have a solid enough talent base to win more than half of their games.